Homeschool Day 2014~ Dolphin Tale 2 (movie & optional field trip)

HSG families,
Please invite your friends and family to join us for this special event!

WHAT: Homeschool Day 2014~ Dolphin Tale 2
WHERE: Cinemark Tinseltown USA
651 Medford Center
Medford, Oregon 97501
WHEN:Friday, September 12th at 11 am (please arrive no later than 10:40 to assemble our HSG group).
TICKETS: $5.50 early bird pricing for all ages available at the ticket window or online
RSVP: To Tika Weeks at hsgathering@gmail.com. Please include in your email if you are interested in a behind-the-scenes tour of the Tinseltown film booth before the movie starts no later than Th Sept 4th.

"Homeschoolers made a huge difference for the first Dolphin Tale movie. When our groups and communities showed up en masse to catch the matinée screenings on opening day, we caught Hollywood’s attention, helping make the original film a box office success and enabling Dolphin Tale 2 to be produced." ~ Homeschool Movie Club

Announcement from Shoestring Productions

Greetings from Shoestrings,               With summer quickly coming to a end, and September approaching us faster and faster, this brings a wealth of changes: The weather gets cooler, school starts back up, and a new year of drama begins. With the new drama year there also comes with it, new changes. This letter is to inform everyone on the changes that are taking place here at Shoestrings.               The biggest change that is taking place is that the former director Jeannie, is stepping down as director. She will still be a part of Shoestrings as a consultant, and as an overall volunteer. The new director will be Stephen Camden along with his wife Ashley, who has been involved in Shoestrings for more than fifteen years. Over the past few years he has been assistant director to Jeannie as well as the technical director. This leads into the next biggest change, there will be NO fall production this term. As the new director of Shoestrings, Stephen wants to change things up a bit and focus on other parts of theater and not just acting. This fall term will consist of class time every week, where each week we will focus on different parts of theater. Everything from acting, sound and lighting, set design, as well as script writing and analysis. There will also be take home projects and homework. In the spring there will be a production so that the kids can put everything they have learned into practice, and put on a great production. Because there will be no production fall term there will not be a opportunity to sell ads. This brings us to the last change here at Shoestrings, the cost of tuition. We have new expenses that we have not had in the past. The newest would be the cost of storage and insurance. In the past we have had our storage paid for, but that is no longer the case. The new tuition for this term will be $190, with a shrinking rate for each child after the first. This cost will cover storage and all other overhead expenses we have. Payment arrangements can be made. The last change that will be taking place is that we will require a parent or family member of a student to be there every week and stay for the whole duration of class. There will be a sign up sheet on the first day of drama that you can sign up for any date you would like. Also all parents are always welcome to stay every week. If a parent is not signed up for a certain date, drama will not be happening on that day.   All parents, of both new and old students, are required to attend the first meeting on the ninth. This is a oration day, where will go over all changes in more detail, as well as answer any questions you might have. After orientation feel free to stay as the students play theater games and get to know each other.   Drama will be starting on Tuesday instead of Thursday, beginning September 9th at 1:30pm to 4:30pm every Tuesday at West Main Church. We hope to see you all there.   If you would like more info please feel free to contact Stephen at:   Cell: 541-621-0148   Email: shoestring_theatrical_troupe@yahoo.com  

TEACH mtg: Living Lessons: Learning from Everyday Life and the Occasional Field Trip

NOTE: No membership is required to attend TEACH meetings!
YOU'RE INVITED :)

Living Lessons: Learning from Everyday Life and the Occasional Field Trip
Thursday, September 4 at 7:00pm
River Valley Church 405 NE Sixth Street, Grants Pass OR, Family Center A

Wondering how to get the most out of your homeschooling experience? Lessons don't have to begin and end sitting around the kitchen table. Thankfully, homeschooling is a lifestyle that allows for learning opportunities wherever you go. Learn to expand your classroom to the world around you! Plus, you'll also learn how to plan a field trip from start to finish.

Tika Weeks, of The HS Gathering of Southern Oregon, homeschools her 2 boys and has taught classes and workshops to children and adults for over 20 years. From arts and crafts, to science and history, Tika is always looking for ways to combine subjects and take learning outside of the box and walls of her home.

Local Educator Discounts

HSG families,

Hopefully you know that there are many businesses here in Southern Oregon that offer Educator Discounts to homeschool parents. Sometimes you'll need "proof" and others just for requesting it, but either way it's good to take advantage of these special offerings. Not only does it offset our expenses as homeschoolers, but it lets the businesses know that we are loyal customers to those that recognize our teacher status!

Here is the list I have of businesses we have here locally, plus a few available online:

SCHOOL SUPPLIES (including Arts & Crafts)

• Office Depot offers teacher discounts and rewards via their Star Teacher Rewards program.
• Staples gives 5-10% back in teacher rewards, depending on the purchase.
• FedEx(Kinkos) saves teachers 15% on qualifying purchases and printing.
• Jo-Ann Craft & Fabric Stores gives teachers 15% all purchases (more on select events).
• Michaels offers 15% savings to teachers every day.

BOOKS & MEDIA

• Barnes & Noble gives you 20-25% off in-store AND online purchases!
• New York Times gives teachers a discount to stay up-to-date on current events.
• Wall St Journal offers a subscription discount also.

ELECTRONICS & SOFTWARE

• The Apple Store is very generous with their student and teacher pricing. (online)
• Adobe Software offers discounts on products like Photoshop and more! (online)

OTHER DISCOUNTS
Walmart & Target offer once a year Teacher Appreciation Days. Check their websites for the next dates.
Dutch Bros gives free coffee drinks to teachers on Teacher Appreciation Day ;)

Of course there are many more not listed, so feel free to comment below and I'll add them to our list!
What is your favorite local business offering and Educator Discount?

Back to (HOME)School Gathering

A new school year begins with a rush of activities and planning for the year. It can get a little hectic, if you're anything like me :) Don't forget, Mamas, to schedule in some time for you too!

Thursday, September 25th, 2014
6:30-9pm in Gold Hill (exact location available when you RSVP)

The "Gathering" is essentially a Mom's Night Out- a time for fellowship, encouragement, and laughter! Usually accompanied by yummy food ;) It's FREE, but you are asked to bring a small snack to share, if you can.

Bring a friend and be sure to RSVP so I know you're coming! (My address will be privately sent to those that RSVP in advance.)

Blessings to you and yours,
Tika Weeks
Admin@HSG
hsgathering@gmail"dot"com
(541)778-721five

Homeschool Day 2014- Dolphin Tale 2

It's been 3 years since HSG celebrated Homeschool Day by going to see the first Dolphin Take movie. Mark your calendars for Dolphin Tale 2!

More details coming soon...

Last minute summer fun

Looking for one last outing with the family before school starts? Head to  Crater Lake on Monday and your entrance fees will be waived!

That's FREE, people :)

New School Year with HSG

For many, the start of the new school year is just days away. For others, it has already begun. If you are already finding yourself overwhelmed or discouraged, please read this article: http://simplehomeschool.net/harder/

Please remember that the HS Gathering is a ministry here for your family as both a resource and a source of encouragement. Please let us know if we can help or pray for your family in any specific way.

Happy homeschooling!
Tika Weeks
Admin@HSG

Illinois Valley Fire Dept Open House

IVFD is celebrating 60 years of service with an Open House this Friday, August 22, 11a.m. to 4p.m. at Station 1 in Cave Junction (681 Caves Hwy). Meet the volunteers, climb on the fire trucks, take a station tour. Free hot dogs and sodas. All ages welcome.

Feedback on "Homeschool Mommy Wars"

Homeschool Moms-
This article grabbed my attention this morning and I am curious if this is a trend you are experiencing. If you have a few minutes, please read it and post your thoughts below or send them to hsgathering@gmail'dot'com.

Homeschool Mommy Wars

Thanks!
Tika Weeks
Admin@HSG

ADMIN: Thank You

Dear HSGathering families,

I just have to take a minute to share this note with you. It's not often I receive a thank you note for the time I put into maintaining the HSG website, Facebook pages, answering questions and emails, and planning events, activities, and Gatherings, but today I did 😊

For those of you that don't already know, the HS Gathering of Southern Oregon is a "one-(wo)man show", with the occasional assistance from my small family. Anything you see posted here was planned by ME for YOU, emailed directly to me from folks just like you, OR it was gleaned from one of several sources I turn to regularly looking for activities "of interest" to local homeschool families. I require no membership fees and I charge no advertising fees. What does that mean? That means it's FREE to you and I don't receive a dime 😊 My little labor of love 💜

And THAT, my friend, is why this little thank you note is so valuable to me!

God bless you all as you are planning and starting your new school year!

In Christ,
Tika Weeks
Admin@HSG

Ballroom dancing

From DeeAnn Todd:

Homeschool Friends,
Our ballroom dance class has room for a few more dancers. If you have a student between the ages of 9 and 17 who would be interested in joining us please contact me immediately.  We meet at the Evergreen Ballroom in Central Point on Wednesdays, 2pm for 8 to 12 year olds, and 3:00pm for 13 to 17 year olds. The cost is $85 (for 11 weeks); we begin on September 10th and culminate with a dance performance on November 15th.  It’s great fun and they learn a lot. These are beginner classes so no dance experience is necessary.

Call DeeAnn at (626) 589-0844 or e-mail ballroom@toddmail.us for more information.
DeeAnn

Potluck

From Cindi Ford (Rogue Valley Homeschoolers):
The Potluck is open to all current, or interested homeschooling families. Please share with any friends or family that would be interested.

Classical Conversations

From Sarah Ochs:
It's not too late! Enrollment in Classical Conversations is still open for students entering Jr. High whose parents desire to share a classical Christian education and watch their child take ownership of their faith and education. My name is Sarah Ochs and I will be hosting info meetings at my home (1876 Roberts Rd, Medford, OR 97504 541-892-7579) August 14, 19, and 26 at 1:30 p.m. and  August 11, 21, and 28 at 6:30 p.m.